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Textiles from around the world

Many countries around the world are known for their traditional textiles, often bright and intricately embellished fabrics showcasing designs unique to their nations of origin. Examples of famous textiles can be seen in iconic traditional dress, from Scottish kilts to Japanese kimonos, as well as decorative pieces meant to be enjoyed for their artistic value. For insight into cloth creations from across the globe — and some serious souvenir inspiration for your next trip — check out these nine stunning textile designs and the stories behind them.

1. Batik

Photo: Raihana Asral/Shutterstock

A symbol of Indonesian culture, wax-resist batik cloth features repeating patterns either drawn by hand or pressed on using a copper stamp. Heaps of cloth are pounded with mallets, designed, and then coated in paraffin or beeswax, which is later scraped away and leaves only a thin coating. Java is especially famous for its batik prints, though the art is practiced throughout Indonesia. Coastal regions are known for incorporating vibrant hues while inland batiks are typically more subtle. Traditional designs carry emblematic meanings said to bring good luck, and historically, certain patterns were reserved for Indonesian royalty. One of the most recognizable textiles the world over, batik was named a symbol of intangible Indonesian heritage by UNESCO in 2009.

2. Shisha embroidery

Photo: Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock

Shisha embroidery is bright and ornate, but what really makes it stand out is its use of mirrors, which are sewn into the fabric to create something truly eye-catching. Mirror embroidery dates back to the 17th century and is believed to have been influenced by a Persian aesthetic known as shishesh, meaning glass. Today, shisha embroidery is representative of the Indian aesthetic — though examples can be found elsewhere in Asia, including China and Afghanistan. You’ll see reflective elements decorating not only clothes, but also wall hangings, tapestries, and other home-decor pieces.

3. Kuba cloth

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Characterized by neutral colors and rectangular patterns, Kuba cloth comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where men and women alike wear skirts made from that fabric during traditional ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. Kuba cloth is created out of raffia cloth, made from palm leaf fiber, which is pounded in a mortar before being ornamented with stitch work. The resulting cloth takes on a texture similar to velvet. Some versions are dyed red using twool, which is sourced from tropical trees and said to be imbued with magical properties that protect the wearer. Interestingly, Kuba cloth’s geometric designs are stitched slightly irregularly, which some suggest parallels traditional Congolese music, known for its slightly off-beat phrasing.

4. Tartan

Photo: chris melville/Shutterstock

Tartan is a boldly colored, criss-crossing pattern most closely identified with Scottish garb, particularly kilts. It dates at least as far back as the Middle Ages. While similar textiles have been discovered in Austria and elsewhere in Europe, tartan hit its cultural stride when it was adopted by Highland clans in the 19th century. Perhaps the most recognizable example — primarily red wool with green, yellow, white, and blue accents — is known as the Royal Stewart Tartan after the House of Stewart. Today, plaid clothing is used for everything from flannels to school uniforms, but we can thank Scotland for the pioneering pattern.

5. African wax prints

A post shared by Makotis Africa (@makotisafrica) on Dec 8, 2015 at 4:53am PST

Ironically, African wax prints are a Dutch creation inspired by Indonesian batik design. Post colonization, Dutch merchants in Java planned to recreate the traditional wax-resist cloth and flood the local market with imitation textiles, but the plan failed. Cost-cutting production measures like using Dutch dyes and opting to coat the fabric in resin rather than wax yielded less sturdy goods that lacked the distinctive scent of the wax-coated batiks. There was, however, a market for the textile in West Africa — as Dutch merchants discovered when they introduced wax prints to the African Gold Coast around the 20th century. Now ubiquitous in Ghana, the textile has actually been produced on African soil since the 1960s and still features prominently in women’s attire, particularly ceremonial garments.

6. Mexican embroidery

Photo: W. Santos/Shutterstock

Embroidery is a standout feature of traditional Mexican textiles, showcasing various symbolic motifs unique to different indigenous groups. Flora and fauna are popular subjects with flowers representing the most common design elements in clothing made by the Nahuas, Huichol, and Otomi peoples, among others. Mexican cloth handicrafts are made by loom, either the pre-Hispanic backstop loom or foot pedal loom, which was introduced during the European conquests. The beautiful, intricate designs are carefully hand-stitched after the cloth is produced.

7. Yuzen silk

Photo: akiyoko/Shutterstock

Many kimonos are made from Yuzen silk, which traces back to Japan’s Edo period. The name refers to a dyeing process implemented after the silk is drawn with patterns meant for various occasions. Two examples are the black-dyed kurotomesode kimono, worn by married women during formal ceremonies like weddings, and its counterpart, the furisode kimono, which is worn by single women on similar occasions. After it’s dyed and hand-painted, Yuzen cloth is embroidered with motifs such as Japanese flowers or birds. The two predominant methods for creating Yuzen silk, known as Kyoto Yuzen and Kaga Yuzen, incorporate classical imagery and more realistic designs, respectively. Beyond kimonos, this delicate textile is also used to make beautiful fans, coin purses, and other items.

8. Suzani

Photo: Nadezhda Bolotina/Shutterstock

Suzanis represent some of the most important handicrafts from Central Asia, notably Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. The delicate cotton and silk cloths radiate bright reds, oranges, and yellows complemented by metallic stitch work. Native flora like carnations and irises are used in the most common patterns, but you’ll also find fruit, bird, and sun and moon motifs in suzani textiles. Historically, the most exquisite examples were offered as bridal dowries, a practice common to a number of Central Asian countries — though you’ll notice slight differences in the regional aesthetic, depending on where you go.

9. Marash embroidery

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Marash embroidery is unique to Armenia, where girls were historically taught needlework techniques from a young age. Women ranging from the nobility to the peasantry learned the arts of weaving and lacework, as well as how to embellish textiles with gold and silver thread and small ornaments like beads, stones, and pearls. Cities like Yerevan, Ani, and Marash are famous for their embroidery, with the latter being some of the best known. Beyond geometric patterns, Marash embroidery also illustrates figures like plants, animals, and religious icons in its designs.


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Six-year-old girl hikes Mt. Whitney

A six-year-old girl from California has put an entire nation of day hikers to shame. Eva Luna Harper-Zahn summited the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States in July, making her way to the top of Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet. Eva pushed through bouts of altitude sickness on the 22-mile journey to join a small group of young children to reach one of North America’s tallest peaks.

Accompanied by her father, Oliver, and nine-year-old brother, Sun, Eva Luna encountered one major obstacle on the hike. Following the first leg up to Consultation Lake at just under 12,000 feet, a bit of altitude sickness kicked in. “She felt sick and nauseous,” Amie Harper, Eva Luna’s mother who stayed behind with the family’s two youngest children, said to PEOPLE. Eva Luna took a nap on her father’s lap for an hour and afterward, felt strong enough to tackle the summit. “Oliver almost decided they should turn back if she didn’t start feeling better.”

California Girl, 6, Climbs Tallest Mountain in the Country: 'She Laughed' and 'Broke Out in Tears' . My daughter accomplished this. They refer to me as "Amie" and not "Breeze" in the article…. https://t.co/kTcfolfTIG

— Sistah Vegan Project (@sistahvegan) August 29, 2018

At six years old, Eva Luna is the youngest girl to reach the top of Mount Whitney and she’s potentially becoming the youngest person of color to so. “She was very cautious and focused to make sure she didn’t fall as she approached the ascent. Just before we got to the summit shelter, which was literally several yards from the summit, she grinned and pretended she was going to give up and turn around,” said Eva Luna’s father Oliver. “She laughed and then she all of a sudden broke out in tears because she was so happy to have made it.”

Eva Luna and her siblings have hiked other (smaller) mountains and spend ample time outdoors, always under the watchful eye of their parents. “Hiking and mountaineering are very significant to our family culture,” said Amie. “It means being able to explore and discover within nature and simultaneously explore and discover new things about ourselves.”


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Norway to implement electric planes

In July 2018, two Norwegian officials took off from the Oslo airport in an aircraft, soared around the city for a few minutes, and safely landed to cheers from media and onlookers. An underwhelming feat to those not in the know, but what had just taken place was in fact a giant step forward for the battle against climate change — the flight took place in an electric-powered plane, the Alpha Electro G2, and signaled the official launch of an ambitious goal by a country already leading the world in electric vehicle use.

As reported by TechCrunch in July 2018, aviation currently accounts for four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. With this flight, Norway announced plans to do their part to cut into that number and fly all short-haul flights from its airports on electric planes by 2040. While current models of the Alpha Electro G2 aircraft only seat two people, multiple companies around the world are working on plans to develop commercial-ready electric aircrafts. No commercial airplanes are currently in the production stages of development, but the officials believe they will be ready in time to be implemented prior the the self-imposed 2040 deadline.

Norwegian officials believe the goal is possible due to the layout of the country’s airports. Commercial airports are spread across the country but the vast majority connect via short flights on smaller aircrafts, making it a viable step towards the country’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The green revolution boosts its impact on global transportation year over year, with more than 3.2 million electric vehicles on the road worldwide in 2017. In the meantime, those wishing to cut down on emissions while flying will have to take matters into their own hands.

H/T: BBC

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Best camping spots in the US

Whether you’re road tripping, backpacking, or wild camping, there’s nothing better than finding one of those unreal campsites that has both views and solitude — and the western states in the USA are ripe with them. It reminds us of how epic our planet is, gives us space to breathe and rest, and maybe offers a sweet Instagram photo (or ten). I’ve been fortunate to have camped all over the US and a number of places in the west have won my heart and stolen more than a few frames from my camera. These spots are so magical that it’s only natural to become protective of them. There are a number of simple ways we can preserve these areas — not only for the sake of the planet, but for ourselves and the generations to come.




1

John Muir Wilderness

Can you imagine opening up your tent to this view of Temple Crag? From jagged peaks to sparkling alpine lakes, it’s easy to see why the eastern Sierra - which includes the famous John Muir Wilderness - is a prime camping destination. Sadly, on recent visits I’ve seen increasing “fire scars” popping up here (charred earth). Did you know fires aren’t allowed above 9,600 feet in this area? There are other rules it seems a lot of folks don’t know: you need permits to camp here, and you must use a bear can for food storage. For fires, I’ve found that the best approach is dismantling any sort of fire ring, and if you see someone burning a fire, politely let them know that fires are not allowed and that rangers will cite those in violation of this rule. Beyond getting slapped with a fine, the bigger issue is that it takes alpine ecosystems a lot longer to recover from the effects of even a well-managed campfire.

2

White sands

You can’t camp on the dunes, but you can pitch your tent right next to them. There’s truly nothing else like being able to walk onto a sea of white sand after your morning coffee. While you do need a permit, it’s less than a mile walk to any one of the 10 designated backcountry camping spots, so you’ll have plenty of privacy. Leave No Trace came out with their new social media guidelines this past spring, one of which encourages people to be “mindful of what their images portray,” especially when shared publicly on apps like Instagram. While staging a camp photo (either physically or via Photoshop) may seem like a fun way to get a dream shot, it sends the wrong message out to others. Photos of tents on the dunes could encourage others to do the same, so it’s worth mentioning when you post if a shot is actually allowed or not. Trust me, getting to camp just steps away from the dunes is still an incredible experience, and I plan on coming back every year for the rest of my life.

3

Olympic Peninsula National Park

In my opinion, beach camping is the best camping. You’re lulled to sleep by the sound of waves hitting the shore, sunsets seldom disappoint and there aren’t usually any biting bugs. This spot, on the Olympic Peninsula, offers you a view of sea stacks and the rugged coast. Not only are permits easy to obtain but the hike to get here is a flat three(ish) miles. While the sites are secluded, you’ll be sharing the area with other campers, so leaving it better than you found it not only makes the next person’s experience more enjoyable - it’s good for our beautiful planet, too.

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4

Alabama Hills

This is hands down one of my favorite places to car camp ever. There are an abundance of perfectly spaced-out sites for both tents and RVs, and Alabama Hills is just 20 minutes away from the charming town of Lone Pine. But I’ve also witnessed firsthand an influx in “Insta-campers,” who seem to be picking destinations from cool geotags and heading off with no consideration for the rules of the place - especially car camping in spots like Alabama Hills. It’s now too easy to see exactly where a cool photo is, and take off on a moment’s notice with no care to how to visit it properly or a sense of responsibility. For this reason, I no longer geotag on Instagram, with the hope that it will offer some of the more popular places a break from the constant exposure they receive from social media in real life. While I’m all for inspiring others to get outside and explore, I can’t always be sure who will see my posts on Instagram -- and who might behave irresponsibly when they visit. I encourage others to take the same approach, and think about the long-term actions of a tag that could reach millions of people on social media.

5

Havasupai

The first time you see Havasupai Falls and the color of the water, you’ll wonder how something so beautiful could actually be real. It’s absolutely astounding. While there are numerous photos on social media with that oh-so-perfect tent shot of the falls, those are actually day-use areas and the only legal places to camp are next to trees or across from the creek. For this reason, I did not include a camping photo here. Tent shots are fun but as with geo-tagging, people get the wrong idea and believe they can set up a tent where they can’t. Additionally, you also can’t access this spot, which is on tribal land, unless you have a permit. Permits help minimize the impact on the land and ensure that everyone, whether it’s the Native Americans who live there or visitors, have the best experience they can. If you want to show your love for a place like Havasupai (or anywhere that has a strict permit process), follow the same protocol as everyone else when it comes to entry. When you finally do get your hands on a coveted permit, it’s like winning the lottery!

6

Bears Ears

While National Parks like Arches and Canyonlands are some of Utah’s biggest attractions, Bears Ears National Monument has received a fair amount of attention over the years since the designation and the announcement of proposed reductions. As far as desert landscapes, it’s another of my favorite places to car camp, as evident from this shot, which was taken out of the back of my Jeep. In addition to pretty vast views, there are some incredible Native American historical sites in the area as well. Some of the ancient rock art needs a little bit of extra love, and merely sticking to Leave No Trace’s seven principles isn’t enough (which, if you don’t know them, learn them!). The Bears Ears Education Center offers all kinds of resources for exploring these sensitive areas with care, and they have a number of notes on their website as well. Furthermore, if we want to enjoy these places for years to come, it’s also important to be aware of what the government plans to do if the monument is reduced. The latest plans were released in August, and the Bureau of Land Management is currently accepting comments on the changes, so if you care about killer camp views and cultural sites, feel free to shoot them an email and let them know how much you value these areas.

7

Escalante Slot

The towering rock walls and the soothing river sounds make this a unique camping spot, which I would love to visit again. You need a permit to stay here, but they’re relatively easy to obtain the day before you’re looking to hike in. Like Bears Ears, Escalante is under threat of being reduced, and a number of land parcels are in danger of being sold off to oil, gas, and coal companies; these land sales would affect some of the very popular slot canyons in the monument, among other areas. The updated proposed reduction notes were released in August. You can click here to submit a comment until November 15th, 2018. Additionally, be sure to not only vote this fall, but do a little bit of research on the candidates running for office. The Outdoor Industry Association has all kinds of information on their Vote the Outdoors page, and I believe using social media to spread this message is equally important.

8

Sawtooth National Forest

Idaho has gorgeous mountains, lakes, and forests, and there are so many places to camp in the Sawtooth National Forest that it would be impossible to pick even five favorites. I find that the best way to nab rad camp spots is to check in with local forest service offices on arrival and ask what they suggest. I’ve been able to find a number of gorgeous sites this way. While many of these areas are a bit more primitive and off the grid, it’s still important to be mindful of impact (camping on flat, durable surfaces that have already been used, for one), and picking out trash - even if you didn’t leave it there. Leave No Trace is a principal not just for what you bring in, but for whatever you leave behind - which may lead you to have some of these rants yourself on social media, as you fall in love with these places and want to see them cared for and protected.

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Royal Wedding attire to be displayed

No event in 2018 has caused quite as much fanfare as the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his bride Meghan Markle. Now that the big day is passed, fans of the royal couple have two final chances to relive the magic before it passes into deep pockets of British lore. The couple’s wedding attire is set to be displayed at England’s Windsor Castle and Scotland’s Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official Scottish residence, beginning this November in an exhibit entitled A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The exhibits are sure to be instant attractions on the UK tourist circuit. The bride’s tiara and veil, especially, will be a sight to behold. The veil is 17 feet long and embroidered with native flora from each of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as two of the Bride’s personal choices, Wintersweet and the California Poppy.

The wedding attire will be an anchor of planned public visits to Windsor Castle starting October 26th, 2018, through January 6, 2019. If you plan to attend, pick up tickets here in advance to secure your spot. The display then heads to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on June 14th, 2019, through October 6th, 2019. Tickets for this location go on sale November 1st, so monitor the Palace’s website for details.

H/T: Lonely Planet

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Best day trips from Athens

A trip to Greece seems incomplete without a visit to one of Greece’s famed islands. But without a lot of time, getting to isles like Mykonos or Santorini is a challenge. Plus, summer ferry tickets sell out fast and accommodations on those fancy islands can be pricey if you can even snag a room.

Skip the hassle and do like the locals. Get yourself to one of the many beautiful islands that you can reach from the port of Athens in 40 minutes to two hours. Ride a rented bike to beautiful beach coves, lunch at lovely restaurants, and enjoy a break from the bustle of the capital city. Here are our favorite Greek islands you can day trip to.

1. Aegina

Photo: rb3legs/Shutterstock

Aegina, pronounced like EGG-ee-nah, is the closest island to Athens. You can get there in 40 minutes from the Port at Pireaus. Aegina is more low-key than islands like Spetses or Hydra, which are popular destination isles for wealthy Athenians. More importantly, it has one of the most complete temples in Greece. The 2,500-year-old Temple of Aphaia is a five-minute bus ride from the port or just a few minutes more by scooter.

You can rent a scooter right at the port and explore the whole island easily. Or you can just walk due north of the port and see the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which are not as complete as the Aphaia temple, and a lovely beach beyond that. The stunning Kolona Beach is a five-minute walk north of the Temple. The long sandy beach is often empty, even during the summer. Also, try some of Aegina’s famous pistachios, possibly the best you’ll ever eat. The hawkers at the port will sell you pistachio everything: pistachio butters, ice cream, crepes, cookies, etc.

2. Agistri

Photo: Aerial-motion/Shutterstock

Agistri is right next to Aegina. It takes just an hour to get to, but it’s beautifully uncrowded. You’ll find only locals and other Greeks on the island, and very little infrastructure — just a handful of tavernas make up the dining options. Agistri is small enough to bicycle around in a day. The port has rental options starting at 5 EUR (just over $5).

Agistri has plenty of beautiful beaches — Dragonera being one of our favorites. Dragonera is usually empty and right next to a large forest. One side of the beach has a bar, but the other side has secluded coves at the base of large cliffs. Although you can easily spend a day in Agistri and be back in time for dinner in Athens, it’s also a popular place for overnight camping — given that it’s much less developed than some other islands.

3. Hydra

Photo: SIAATH/Shutterstock

In about an hour, a boat from Piraeus will bring you to Hydra, an elegant island chock-full of restaurants, shopping, and a handful of beaches. Hydra famously does not permit any motor vehicles, and that’s just as well — the roads don’t take you very far. Most of the island is mountainous, with the tallest point reaching nearly 2,000 feet. If you wanted to get to the far side of the island, you’d probably need a private boat.

No matter, because all of the activity in Hydra is concentrated near a lovely port city, which is framed by the taller peaks. After lunch at one of its restaurants, check out the pretty boutiques in town. You’ll see the artisans making inexpensive jewelry and can even ask for a customized piece. West of the port is the tiny Kamini Beach, where you can have lunch at a restored armory.

4. Poros

Photo: Milan Gonda/Shutterstock

Don’t confuse Poros with Paros, a fancy island in the Cyclades that takes a lot longer to get to. Poros can be reached in an hour on the hydrofoil from Athens. It’s very close to the Peloponnese — the part of Greece that is home to Sparta — and you can see the impressive Peloponnesian peaks from the island.

Poros has plenty of interesting things to check out. The first step would be to climb its 90-year-old clock tower by the harbor, both to orient yourself and to see the clear Mediterranean. The Temple of Poseidon is on the north side of the island and if you want to see more artifacts, you could check out the Poros Museum. However, if you already got your share of history in Athens and just want to enjoy the sea, check out the beaches at Monastiri and Russian Bay.

5. Spetses

Photo: Theastock/Shutterstock

Spetses is the farthest island on this list, but it’s still doable for a day trip. A ferry from Piraeus will get you there in two hours. Spetses prohibits private cars, but a handful of taxis on the island will take you where you need to go. A more fun option is to rent a scooter, which you can do right at the port.

The best things to do in Spetses is to explore one of the beaches on the island. Agioi Anargyri is a big beach with umbrellas that’s worth checking out; from there, you can walk along the rocks and swim into Bekiri Cave. Plenty of moneyed Athenians have weekend homes in Spetses, but the island still doesn’t feel crowded.


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Little America roadside motels

The story of our country’s best roadside motel chain started with a legend. A man, herding sheep in rural 1890s Wyoming, found himself caught in a January blizzard unable to make his way back home. The wind howled and the snow fell in sheets as he shivered and struggled to find a place to dig in for the night.

These were the days before I-80 tore its way across the southern part of the state, with no cars whizzing in the distance to serve as a wayfinder and no sheriff on patrol in the area in whom he might have found a savior. The man spent the night in the freezing January storm dreaming of a warm fire and birthing in his mind an idea that would leave an indelible mark on American hospitality.

An oasis in the middle of nowhere.

Photo: Little America Hotel and Resort – Cheyenne/Facebook

Little America was born 40 years later in 1934 with the original location sitting right on the spot in western Wyoming where its founder survived that brutal night in the cold. The name is taken from Admiral Richard Byrd’s 1929 base camp in Antarctica, a place that founder Earl Holding had at the top of his mind as he spent a night shivering in the Wyoming winter.

Today, that same spot just off I-80 in Sweetwater County is the site of the original Little America Wyoming hotel, now actually a Census Designated Place with a listed population of 68. The spacious lobby boasts rustic decor and a staff that doesn’t appear to have anything going on beyond making sure that those pulling off the highway onto their property have a great experience, so you can count on close service.

It’s luxurious seclusion at its absolute finest and a concept that has proved popular enough that locations have since opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, Cheyenne, and the outskirts of Flagstaff, Arizona. There’s even an entire family of associated hotels and resorts across the western United States.

Since you’re essentially on the side of an interstate in the middle of nowhere, the hotel wants you to be entertained, and they’ve gone to extreme lengths to deck out every part of the property. You’ll find a business center, gym, and hearty gift shop onsite here and in each location. In most chain motels, these are standard amenities and nothing worth writing home about, but again — this is luxury in the woods. Expect a gym stacked with most of the machines you’d find at your local fitness center and attire worthy of a fine cocktail party available in the shop. In the morning, you can fill up your tank and grab snacks for the road at the onsite convenience store. There’s even a mechanic shop in case you’re having car troubles.

You can lounge over a high-end cocktail in the pub.

Photo: The Little America Hotel Flagstaff/Facebook

As part of the whole ‘travel center’ thing, each Little America hotel has on-site dining and a pub in which to relax over a cocktail after a long day on the road. Sitting in the restaurant or bar in any of them will make you feel like you’re the guest of honor at a cocktail party in an old western movie, surrounded by antique furniture and decor — and probably sitting underneath a pair of deer antlers hung on the wall.

The house specialty is slow-roasted prime rib, available Friday and Saturday evenings after 5:00 PM, and daily menu items include standards like the Little America Burger and chicken wings. They’ve also got options like ribeye, wild prawns, and mahi-mahi tacos. The breakfast menu features omelets, benedicts, and Belgian waffles. It’s a far cry from another continental breakfast or truck stop burrito that’s spent the afternoon frying under a heat lamp.

And get out into nature.

Photo: The Little America Hotel Flagstaff/Facebook

In Cheyenne, you can play nine holes of golf on site. In Flagstaff, walk out of your room onto the trail system that winds its way around and beyond the backside of the property, beginning in the 500-acre private forest. Little America is also one of the best places to stay after exploring national parks and monuments.

The Little America Travel Center on I-80 is 30 minutes from Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and just two hours from Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado. The Flagstaff location is just over an hour from Grand Canyon National Park. Even the downtown Salt Lake City hotel offers short access to Southern Utah’s abundance of outdoor playgrounds, including Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

The properties are a haven for the entire family.

Photo: Little America Hotel and Resort – Cheyenne/Facebook

Picture your dream playground as a kid: a large playset, some swings and a few slides, maybe a gravel pit or somewhere else to do some digging. Put that in a hotel, add volleyball, swimming pools, and a hot tub — and you have Little America. The running theme seems to be the more isolated the hotel, the more prevalent the opportunities for shenanigans. Lightly forested space for an epic game of hide and seek or tag is aplenty in both the Wyoming and northern Arizona locations. Your kids will be worn out and ready to crash by the time the sun goes down.

The Flagstaff location hosts an annual North Pole Experience each winter. Rooms are decked out in seasonal attire, and kids can ride the trolley to visit Santa and crew at the North Pole, which, considering you’re in Arizona, looks pretty darn convincing. This year’s season runs from November 16 to December 28.


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Incredible spots in Bali for photos

Bali, the Island of the Gods, has long been one of the top travel destinations in Southeast Asia. Now, social media platforms such as Instagram are attracting new travelers to the island’s astounding beauty.

Bali is rich in culture and history, and it has some of the most amazing and diverse landscapes in Indonesia. These are just a few great spots that will make carrying your camera all the way to Bali completely worth it.




1

One of the most famous photo locations in Bali, the Handara Gate actually marks the entrance to a golf course. Traditional Hindu gates symbolize the transition from the outer world into the temple. These structures play an important part in Indonesian culture, particularly in Bali, Java, and Lombok.

2

Just a few minutes drive from Handara you will find the Bratan Temple, which is best seen at sunrise. If you go on a clear day, the sky lights up the lake below, creating perfect reflections.

3

An excellent sunrise location in Bali is Tegalalang. The rice terraces really encompass the beauty of the island. If you can catch the light rays coming through the trees just after sunrise, you are in for a treat.

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4

Nicknamed the stairway to Heaven, Pura Lempuyang sits opposite the almighty Mount Agung. On a clear day, you can see a perfect view of the volcano through the gates.

5

Get to the waterfalls at Tukad Cepung around 10:00 AM to witness the light rays pouring through a small hole in the roof of the cave. If the conditions are good, you’ll be able to capture a magical image.

6

Bali is home to scores of waterfalls, but Sekumpul - in North Bali - is one of the loveliest. Be prepared for an early start to capture the waterfall before tourists start flocking to the place.

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Campuhan Ridge is an easy nature trek just minutes away from downtown Ubud. If you go there during sunset, you’ll get great landscape pictures.

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Set high above the waves of South Kuta, the Uluwatu Cliff is a wonderful place to chill in the evening and watch the sunset with a picnic at hand.

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Nusa Penida is just a short boat ride from Sanur Beach. This island is less crowded and developed, and some people consider it to be how Bali was 20 years ago. Head to Kelingking and walk down the path to the beach below to catch the sunset.

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Karang Karang is a popular spot to watch the sunrise at Sarung Beach. From here, you can watch Mount Agung on a clear day, and it’s a nice place to take a stroll along the beach.

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New Zealand village bans cats

Known for being cute, furry, and moody, cats are seen as generally harmless creatures. But a small New Zealand coastal village has apparently found plenty to be wary about.

The town of Omaui, located about 366 miles from Christchurch on the South Island, has proposed having a cat-free community in order to prevent the killing of local birds and wildlife. Officials say they have video footage of residents’ pet cats attacking and killing birds, reptiles, and insects throughout the city.

“There are cats getting into the native bush; they’re preying on native birds, they’re taking insects, they’re taking reptiles — all sorts of things. They’re doing quite a bit of damage,” said Ali Meade, biosecurity operations manager at Environment Southland, to New Zealand news site Newshub.

Under the proposal, residents with cats currently living in their homes will have to register and microchip their pets, and they must also have a tracking microchip implanted. Once the cat dies, that’s it — no offspring, no adoption, no more furry feline companions.

“Cats make wonderful pets — they’re spectacular pets! But they shouldn’t be allowed to roam outside — it’s a really obvious solution,” said Dr. Peter Marra, head of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre, to the BBC.

Dr. Marra has researched and written extensively on the subject, concluding that roaming cats do much more harm than most people realize. “We would never let dogs do that. It’s about time we treat cats like dogs.”

H/T: Travel and Leisure

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Fine for stealing pebbles

For many vacationers, taking a glass jar of sand or a few seashells home from their beach vacation almost seems like a right of passage. Few mementos make better restroom decor than pebbles, and grabbing a few small rocks to pack up and take home can be the perfect reminder of sun-bathed memories. Unless you’re traveling to the Greek island of Skiathos, where those pocketed pebbles could come at a hefty cost.

Among the most popular destinations on the island, Lalaria Beach is lined with white pebbles rounded by the waters of the Aegean Sea. The beach is located on a remote part of Skiathos that’s only accessible via boat or a stiff hike, making it the perfect place to escape the crowds, hawkers, and gimmicky gift shops found elsewhere on the island. Removing themselves from civilization doesn’t appear to free tourists from the want of a souvenir to remember their journey by, however. Tourists and locals alike are known to pocket a few of the stones and the masses that flock to the beach each summer are wreaking havoc on the local environment.

Over the past decade, tourists have taken enough rocks from Lalaria Beach that permanent damage has been done to its picturesque landscape. In an effort to counter the increasingly common rock heists, The Cultural Association on Skiathos has teamed up with the the island’s Port Authority and residents in a campaign to raise awareness of the problem, as first reported by Lonely Planet. Tourists are now being advised to “take pictures, not pebbles,” and “Save Lalaria Beach”; Posters and signs have been hung across the island and throughout Greece.

Busted pebble pinchers are subject to fines ranging from $465 to $1162, depending on the number of rocks taken and the size of their loot. Locals are subject to the fines as well, known for taking the rocks and using them as lawn decor or to crack open nuts. If you plan to visit Lalaria Beach, remember the old saying, “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”

H/T: Lonely Planet

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